Welcome to Josey Lane Dentistry. We are a general dental practice in Carrollton, TX with a clear focus: caring for older adults, from active Seniors to our Super Seniors in their later decades, and supporting the adult children and caregivers who help them make decisions about their health. Dr. Melissa Scaggs, DDS, MAGD, has focused on senior patient care since 2014 and is a Dementia Certified Practitioner. She and Dr. Lindsay Penchan, DDS, welcome new patients, work with Delta Dental, and open at 7:00 AM on weekdays so families can fit a visit in before work or a full day of caregiving.
Most dental websites are written for a busy family with young kids. Ours is written for you if you are 65, 85, or 95, and for the son, daughter, spouse, or caregiver sitting beside you.
Aging changes the mouth in ways that general advice does not always account for. Medications dry out the mouth. Gums recede and expose softer root surfaces. Fillings and crowns placed decades ago start to wear. Arthritis can make brushing harder, and memory changes can make a dental visit feel confusing or frightening. A health history that once fit on one line may now include heart conditions, diabetes, blood thinners, and a long list of prescriptions.
None of that is a reason to settle for less care. It is a reason to receive care from a team that understands it. At Josey Lane Dentistry, we have built our practice around exactly these patients, and our whole approach reflects that: longer conversations, a careful review of your medical history, gentle technique, and treatment plans that fit the person, not just the tooth.
Many of our patients are healthy, active, and determined to keep their natural teeth for life. We help them stay ahead of the changes that come with age, such as root decay, dry mouth, gum disease, and worn or cracked teeth, with thorough cleanings and exams, prevention tailored to their risk, and conservative repairs when something does need attention.
Our Super Seniors are our oldest patients. They often bring a longer health history, more medications, and more life experience into the chair. For them, the best treatment is often the one that keeps them comfortable, eating well, and free of infection with the fewest and shortest appointments possible. We plan around stamina, mobility, and memory, and we never assume that the most extensive option is the right one.
If you are helping a parent or loved one with dental decisions, you are part of our team too. With your loved one's permission, we welcome you into the conversation, explain findings in plain language, and give you practical guidance for daily care at home. We know you may be balancing work, your own family, and medical appointments, so we keep our recommendations clear and our communication straightforward.
Age-related changes in the mouth are common, and most of them can be managed well when they are caught early. Here are the ones we see most often.
| What changes | Why it happens | How we help |
|---|---|---|
| Dry mouth | Hundreds of common medications reduce saliva, which normally protects teeth | We review your medication list, recommend saliva support, and adjust your prevention plan |
| Root surface cavities | Gums recede over time, exposing softer root surfaces that decay quickly | Closer monitoring, professional fluoride treatment, and small, early fillings |
| Gum disease | Plaque buildup, health conditions like diabetes, and harder home care | Gentle, thorough cleanings and a recall schedule matched to your risk |
| Worn, cracked, or failing old dental work | Decades of chewing and aging restorations | We repair what truly needs it and monitor what is stable |
| Tooth loss and changing denture fit | Bone and gums change shape over time | Relines, new dentures and partials, or implant support when appropriate |
| Harder daily care | Arthritis, tremors, vision changes, or memory changes | Simpler routines, helpful tools, and coaching for caregivers |
| Higher oral cancer risk | Risk increases with age, tobacco, and alcohol use | An oral cancer screening at every routine exam |
Dr. Melissa Scaggs and our team believe that good dentistry for older adults is measured by how well a patient can eat, speak, smile, and live comfortably, not by how much work gets done. That belief shapes four commitments.
We never hand you a long list of procedures and a price. Instead, we work through your care one step at a time.
We listen first. We ask about your health, your medications, how you are eating, what bothers you, and who helps you with your care.
We look carefully. A thorough exam, digital X-rays, and intra-oral camera photos let us show you exactly what we see.
We weigh your whole picture. We consider your medical conditions, your energy for appointments, and what matters most to you.
We explain your options. That includes the option to watch and maintain a tooth when that is reasonable, along with the pros, cons, and costs of each path.
We decide together. You, and your family if you wish, have time to ask questions and think it over. There is never pressure to decide in the chair.
Many of our patients manage several health conditions at once. We regularly care for patients who take blood thinners, live with heart disease or diabetes, have had a stroke, take bone-strengthening medications, or are living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Each of these can affect how we plan dental treatment, from the timing of appointments to the type of anesthetic we use.
That is why we review your complete medical history and medication list at every visit, and why we may ask to communicate with your physician before certain procedures. For patients who are anxious or have trouble sitting through treatment, we offer sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation when they are medically appropriate.
We provide complete general dental care, with particular depth in the treatments older adults need most. Explore our full list of dental services.
Dr. Melissa Scaggs, DDS, MAGD, is a lifelong Texan who holds Master status in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction earned through extensive continuing education. She has focused on caring for senior patients since 2014 and is a Dementia Certified Practitioner, trained in how memory loss changes the way a person experiences dental care. Her approach is thorough, unhurried, and always focused on comfort and dignity.
Dr. Lindsay Penchan, DDS, focuses much of her work on root canals and tooth extractions, two procedures that matter a great deal when an older tooth becomes painful or infected. She is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the Texas Dental Association, and patients appreciate her calm, step-by-step explanations.
Our hygienists and assistants share the same patience. From the front desk to the treatment room, you will be greeted warmly and given the time you need.
Patients often tell us they arrived nervous, some after years of avoiding the dentist, and left relieved. Families tell us they appreciate that our doctors take time to explain what is happening and why. And many describe our office as feeling like family. You can read more on our patient testimonials page.
Josey Lane Dentistry is located at 2440 North Josey Lane, Suite 102 in Carrollton, Texas, just south of the George Bush Tollway on Josey Lane. We see patients from Carrollton and nearby Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell, and Hebron.
We are open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Many older patients feel their best in the morning, and our early start makes it easier for adult children to bring a parent before work. If your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair, or needs extra time getting settled, let us know when you call so we can plan the visit around them.
Whether you are looking for a new dentist for yourself, or a gentler and more experienced team for a parent, we would be glad to meet you. We will take the time to understand your health, explain your options clearly, and build a plan that makes sense for your life. 2440 N Josey Lane #102, Carrollton, TX 75006 | Phone: 972-242-1592
